By. Israruddin Israr
In the jungle, there are no parliaments, assemblies, governments, or institutions enforcing laws. Therefore, animals establish their own food sources, habitats, and protection mechanisms. They rely on their instincts and often live in packs. Those who stray from the pack become vulnerable to being hunted by predators
Contrary to animals, humans are rational beings. They have built societies and states based on thousands and millions of years of their experiences. The agency through which these states are run is called government. A system administered by the government, which is based on impartiality and justice, ensures the protection and promotion of human rights.
Governments’ ‘divide and rule’ policy fuels ongoing societal conflicts, empowering factions with state support, prompting their armed defiance against governmental authority.
Israruddin Israr
When states and governments demonstrate impartiality, they exemplify justice and equality, thereby ensuring security and peace for citizens. On the contrary, when states and governments fail to uphold the supremacy of law and establish equality, people resort to their instincts and become divided into factions. These factions are often rooted in language, religion, nationality, sect, region, ideology, etc.
When governments adopt a policy of ‘divide and rule’, it leads to unending conflicts within the society. In such situations, these factions in society become further strong, now with government support. As these factions become increasingly entrenched, they arm themselves. When armed, they begin challenging the authority of governments and states.
As the number of such factions increases in a region and each faction establishes its own government in its area, the leader of that faction is called a warlord. These warlords engage in warfare with other warlords to maintain their governments, a phenomenon known as warlordism.
The current prevalence of extremism and violence in Pakistani society has compelled ordinary citizens to go with the pack rather than leading lives driven by rationality.
Israruddin Israr
Many countries in the world have been destroyed by such conflicts and warlodism. When a society falls victim to warlordism, people transition back into the life of jungle, where the principle of “might is right” prevails.
In a lawless society, individuals are forced to be part of powerful factions to remain safe and secure. In Punjabi culture, it is said that one must “go with the pack” to survive in such situations. The current prevalence of extremism and violence in Pakistani society has compelled ordinary citizens to go with the pack rather than leading lives driven by rationality.
The contributor is a Gilgit-based human rights activist and columnist. He can be reached at israrhrcpglt@gmail.com
